Burges Salmon LLP‘s practice is well-equipped to handle transactions, disputes, as well as tax and succession planning in the agriculture and estates sectors. The team fields extensive expertise in rural affairs and is led by Tom Hewitt, who is praised for being ‘at the top of his profession’. Agricultural disputes form the core of Kevin Kennedy‘s practice, while Emma Folkes specialises in transactional work. The taxation of development land alongside succession planning, inheritance tax, and asset structuring are particular areas of focus for Tim Williams. Another key name to note in the practice is Ross Simpson, whose capabilities include handling the disposal and acquisition of landholdings and agricultural portfolios.

Charles Russell Speechlys LLP stands out for its robust agricultural practice, praised for its ‘deep and enduring knowledge of the landed estate sector’. The team offers support to clients such as large landed estates and high-net-worth individuals in agricultural property, trust and tax matters while also covering disputes and other ancillary areas including commercial and IP. Henry Fea who helms the firm’s tax, trusts and succession offering leads the practice jointly with head of private property Tristram van Lawick. Private and charity owners of landed estates regularly turn to Christopher Page for his expertise in strategic succession planning.

Michelmores LLP, under the leadership of Ben Sharples and Vivienne Williams, has a strong reputation in both agricultural disputes and non-contentious work including property transactions and strategic development matters. Natural capital and tax are further areas of expertise for the team, whose varied client portfolio is made up of entities including public bodies, landed estates and charitable organisations. Sharples also acts as head of natural capital; both he and Williams specialise in related dispute resolution. Rachel O’Connor is noted for her capabilities relating to regenerative agriculture, while Adam Corbin and Charlotte Razay are further key contacts with experience handling contentious matters.

Thrings LLP's agriculture team provides comprehensive advice to agricultural entities, landed estates and individuals spanning both non-contentious and litigious matters. Led by Duncan Sigournay, the practice excels in handling agricultural property affairs, including tenancies, transactions and easements. Russell Reeves is noted for his experience in disputes, while Robert James excels in proprietary estoppel claims. The sale, purchase and leasing of agricultural assets are areas of focus for Neil Barbour who is a go-to contact for matters pertaining to high-value farms, country houses and estates in particular.

Ashfords LLP acts for clients both regionally and nationally, offering a broad advisory portfolio that spans property, commercial and regulatory matters as well as strategic land development. Susie Murray serves as practice head and counts farming businesses, corporate entities, estates, and families amongst her clients. Jonathan Hickman, who was promoted to partner in May 2024, focuses on private client work pertaining to estate management, succession, and tax planning.

Garnering praise for its provision of ‘unparalleled service’, Clarke Willmott LLP's agriculture and estates team acts for a wide-range of clients including farmers, rural landowners and agri-food entities, who turn to the group for both contentious and non-contentious issues. Esther Woolford leverages her longstanding sector expertise to assist with agricultural claims, especially in relation to proprietary estoppel matters. Property and partnership disputes as well as contentious probate form part of Polly Ridgway‘s advisory portfolio.

Regularly acting for large farming businesses and landed estates, Foot Anstey fields a specialist team dedicated to rural property and dispute resolution. Spearheaded by Edward Venmore, who focuses on litigation, the team also draws on its private wealth expertise to advise on succession and tax planning within the agricultural sector. ‘The efficient and knowledgeable’ Danielle Spalding handles agriculture and rural business disputes, while Kate Lucas acts on transactional matters and draws praise for her expertise relating to natural capital.

With a varied suite of services tailored to the agricultural sector, Trethowans LLP's workload encompasses transactional matters, agricultural lending and litigation, amongst others. Marcus Thorpe focuses on property transactions and management, equestrian matters and tenancies, while Mihiri Gajraj is regularly sought out for her expertise in tax and trusts, estate planning, and landed estates. Banking-related work is handled by Steve Cole, and Kathryn Evans specialises in providing employment law support to rural clients. Animal and farming liability is an area of strength for Kelvin Farmaner.

Trowers & Hamlins LLP‘s agriculture and rural estates team is praised for its ‘excellent sector knowledge’, demonstrated by the firm’s broad range of clients which includes landowners, farm tenants and landed estates, amongst others. Nicola Janus-Harris leads the practice and specialises in agricultural tenancies. Charisse Crawford is recommended for her expertise in agricultural private wealth disputes.

Wilsons fields a ‘diverse and widely skilled team well-suited to the varied needs of complex rural estates’, combining expertise in private client, rural property, and disputes. The group acts for charities, investors, farmers, and landed estates on matters such as strategic land development, environmental land management, and the sale and purchase of agricultural property. Jane Lonergan heads up the firm’s property team and leads the practice together with litigator Peter Bourke, who is particularly active in AHA succession tenancy disputes.

Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP fields a broad practice well-equipped to handle matters relating to historic agricultural tenancies and estates as well as renewable development matters. The team caters to a diverse clientele including landowners, banks and public authorities. Under the joint leadership of Laura Brodie and Simon Kirkup, the team excels in managing and diversifying rural land assets, a particular area of focus for Robert Drewett.

Blanchards Bailey LLP acts for agriculture and estate clients in a variety of matters, most notably pertaining to contentious probate, property disputes and the sale and purchase of agricultural assets. A trio of practitioners spearheads the team, being Paul Dunlop who leads on litigation matters, head of agricultural and commercial property Sarah Dunlop, and Jerome Dodge, who helms the firm’s private client offering.

Coodes Solicitors‘ rural services group, under the leadership of rural property specialist Pam Johns, offers comprehensive advice spanning commercial disputes, real estate, wills and probate, as well as crime matters in the agricultural sector. Disputes are handled by Abi Lutey and Lisa Robinson is another key name to note with specialism in agricultural property.

Mogers Drewett LLP stands out for its specialism advising clients on matters concerning public rights of way and land access, though the practice handles a diverse set of issues. Frank Collins leads the practice and fields longstanding experience acting for farmers and land owners on their day-to-day concerns. Jonathan Cheal comes recommended as a noted expert in rights of way and access to land matters.

The ‘sound local team’ at Porter Dodson LLP acts for clients in the sale and purchase of property, AHA tenancies, succession planning, and has notable strength in assisting with deals for strategic land with developers and promoters, which is a particular area of expertise of team head Steve Farnham. Specialising in agricultural property, Rob Oliver joined the team in December 2023 from Trethowans LLP.

Stephens Scown LLP provides advice across a broad range of matters, from real estate to employment and disputes. Practice head Phil Reed has expertise in wealth protection and succession planning, while Ian Thomas excels in property litigation within the agricultural sector. 2023 also saw the group’s expansion through the addition of two new partners: Stephen Panton moved over from Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP in April and Tom Biddick joined the firm in May from Ashfords LLP.

The Cheltenham-based team at Willans LLP focuses on non-contentious agricultural work, acting for a roster of landowners, farming families and landed estates throughout the South West region. The group is particularly experienced in advising on development-related issues including land disposals and tenancy matters. Adam Hale leads the practice.